Match-head composition



. No Drawing. H

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN R. MARDICK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

MATCH-HEAD COMPOSITION.

My invention relates to the manufacture of matches and match-headcompositions,

I and has for its object to produce matches more cheaply andadvantageously, and with improvement in the product. The invention isapplicable to common or strike-anywhere 'matches and to safety matches.

The oxidizing agent generally employed in match-head compositions ispotassium chlorate, which is easily broken up by ordinary rubbingfriction so as to yield upits oxygen to burn the combustibles. Mypurpose is to provide an oxidizing agent for these compositions, whichis more effective,

1 produces a steadier burning match, (less-violence or sputtering), and,all things considered, at less expense, and with greater convenience andsafety in the manufacture. This is accomplished by substituting one or imore perchlorate compounds in place of the usual chlorate.

The following. are advantages in displacing chlorates with perchloratesinmatchhead compositions. I Y

1. Chlorates have three oxygen While the perchlorates have four. As theeconomic value of the chlorates in matches really depends on its oxygenpercentage it follows that perchlorates having more oxygen Will havemore economic value than the chlorates. That is to say, perchlorates,hav-' ing 25% more oxygen than the chlorates,

will have 25% more oxidizing value.

2. Potassium chlorate is the only salt commonly used in the matchindustry.

Ammonium chlorate is too unstable for use.

Sodium chlorate is too hygroscopic. On the other hand, there are severalexamples of perchlorate compounds, like p0:

tassium, ammonium, sodium, and barium perchlorates which are availablefor the,

match industry.

3. In making the chlorates it requires substantial time and care toprepare pure chlorates.

On the other hand, it is commercially easy to make and purifyperchlorates as com- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 20, 1919. Serial No. 298,429.

atoms,

Patented Feb. 3, 920.

pared with the chlorates. Thus, potassium, sodium, and ammoniumperchlorates are easily crystallized out and separated, much more sothan the corresponding chlorates.

4. In preparing oxidizing materials for matches, it is necessary to havethem ground fine. In the case of chlorates, the grinding and handling ismore dangerous than with the perchlorates- 5. While it requires moreelectric current to put on the extra oxygen in the chlorate, in order tomake perchlorates, this cost item is ofiset by the cheapness in handlingand purifying the perchlorates, and the smaller amount required.

Other advantages may be found.

In carrying out my invention, I can make use of all the knowningredients in match compositions and displace the chlorate in itsentirety or in substantial proportion with perchlorate in allcompositions and formulas 'by which common strike-anywhere and thefollowing proportions 80 parts of potassium perchlorate against100-parts potassium chlorate,

' 75 parts of sodium perchlorate against 100 parts potassium chlorate,

7 0 parts of ammonium perchlorate against 100 parts potassium chlorate.

These proportions hold good in all common match-head compositions, asWell as in so-called safety matches.

In proceeding with my invention I do not confine myself to anyparticular formula,

but I make free use of binders, 'such as glues and gums; flamers, suchas phosphorus and sulfur compounds; oxidizers, one or moreperchlorates;'fillers and friction substances-powdered sand, powderedglass,

chalk, gypsum, etc. For'example,

Common matches (head composition). Phosphorous sesqui-sulfidn 5 to 15parts.

Sulfur, coloring matter, etc- 4 5 In the safety matches, where antimonysulfid and red phosphorus are commonly used, I simply displace thechlorate with the perchlorate, leaving all the other ingredients thesame.

For a specific formula of a common match, I take the following:

Phosphorous sesqui-sulfid 6% Ammonium perchlorate 20% Glue 17% \Vater35% Inert substances 22% Safety match. 1

.Red phosphorus"; 10% Potassium perchlorate nwm ..L 30% Chalk 7% Groundsand .27 Glue or gum arabic 16% Magnesium silicon; 10%

I find that the use of magnesium silicon, in connection with chloratesand perchlorates improves the'quality of matches, gives a steadiness tothe match, causing the same to burn uniformly, Without spitting or spurting action, and therefore I claim the use of this ingredient as anotherpart of my invention in the improvement of matches.

In making match compositions, While I Y prefer to use perchlorates, asprincipal oxidizing agents, I may also use chlorates and perchloratesmixed, though at least, 25% perchlorate in the oxidizing part of thecomposition would seem necessary for any technical advantage, and 50% ormore up to the total is the contemplation of the invention. Naturally,two or more perchlorates could be used in the same composition, ifdesired.

What I claim as new is:

1. A match-head composition containing one or more perchlorates insubstantial proportion as the oxidizing agent.

2. A match the head of which contains a perchlorate in substantialproportion as the oxidizing agent.

4 JOHN R. MARDICK.

